Cut It Off

I used to think it was noble to suffer fools. It was my self-appointed job to bring balance to foolishness by applying a warm poultice of patience to the madness. I might even lend an ear to maligning words, if I deemed it worthy in some commiserative way.  I was the fool. These waters have been difficult for me to navigate. It is true that God calls me to love and endure, but He will never ask me to abandon His way or go astray. Nor should I nod in agreement when someone else does.

Proverbs 16:17 says The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. He who guards his way guards his life. Powerful. It saddens me to think of the decades I lived before I learned to employ that simple directive. Jesus is the Way, He has given me life. I have no other course. My aim is to walk His path and deepen my faith and conviction, even as the veering world beckons.

Knowing Jesus makes navigating the waters less confusing. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance my heart can “go out” to someone and remain steadfastly and surely at His side, abiding in His ways, not my own, serving others in the name of Jesus, not in the name of Jennie. Loving another never means allowing them to desecrate my good sensibilities. To love sometimes means I walk on by.

Stay away from foolish people; they have nothing to teach you.                       Proverbs 14:7